Question:
Assalamualaikum SS Mufti, I want to ask regarding the marriage status of non-Muslim couples who have embraced Islam and the status of their children (lineage)?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wbt.
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
In Islam’s history during the time of the Prophet PBUH, there were numerous individuals from men and women who embrace Islam. Some were married couples where both of them embraced Islam together. In narrations of the Prophet PBUH, he never instructed any of them to renew their marriage once they embraced Islam.
Furthermore, the majority of scholars also state that the marriage of disbelievers is valid. They supported their ruling with the statement of Allah SWT:
وَامْرَأَتُهُ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ
And his wife [as well] - the carrier of firewood.
Surah al-Masad (4)
The same is stated in another verse of the Quran:
اِمْرَأَةَ فِرْعَوْنَ
“…the wife of Pharaoh,”
Surah al-Tahrim (11)
Hence, since they are mentioned as wives of Abu Lahab and Pharaoh clearly proves the validity of their marriage.
Imam Ibn Qudamah said:
وقد أسلم خلق على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وأسلم نساؤهم وأُقِرّوا على أنكحتهم ، ولم يسألهم رسول الله عن شروط النكاح ولا كيفيته
“There are numerous individuals in the time of the Prophet PBUH who embraced Islam together with their wives. The Prophet PBUH acknowledges their marriage and did not ask them regarding the conditions and how they married each other.” Refer: Al-Mughni, Ibn Qudamah (7/115).
Conclusion
To close, we would like to state that the marriage of non-Muslim couples is valid. Hence, the children they had during their marriage are also acknowledged as their children.
Lastly, may Allah SWT give us the correct understanding of our religion. Ameen.